ALOR SETAR: A total of 112 compounds worth RM14,000 were issued by the Kedah Health Department at Ramadan bazaars as of Feb 26.
State housing, local government and health committee chairman Mej (Rtd) Mansor Zakaria said inspections were conducted at 80 Ramadan bazaars to ensure food handlers complied with food safety standards.
He said the operation found that 3% of food handlers had not received anti-typhoid vaccination, while 10% had not attended mandatory food handler training.
“The number shows an increase in the level of compliance among food handlers compared to last year, when inspections found that 10% of food handlers did not have anti-typhoid jabs and 15% did not attend food handler training. This is part of the state government’s efforts to ensure food sold is safe, clean and of good quality,” he said after officiating the Kedah Towards Food Poisoning-Free programme under the Kedah Safe Food Initiative at Darul Aman Stadium Ramadan Bazaar here on Saturday, Bernama reported.
This year, 6,768 stalls were operating at 80 Ramadan bazaar sites throughout Kedah compared to 7,240 stalls at 87 bazaar sites last year. Last year, 185 compounds amounting to RM21,750 were issued to traders for various offences.
